This prospective clinical study aims to establish normative values of knee ligament stiffness across different ethnic populations using shear wave elastography (SWE) and to investigate biomechanical alterations associated with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Healthy adults and patients with symptomatic knee OA will undergo standardized SWE examinations of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), medial collateral ligament (MCL), and lateral collateral ligament (LCL), together with clinical assessments. For patients who subsequently receive clinically indicated ultrasound-guided injection therapy, follow-up SWE and clinical evaluations will be performed to investigate changes in ligament stiffness after treatment.
Adults aged 20 years or older.
Able to understand the study procedures and provide written informed consent.
Able to ambulate independently without walking aids.
No pain in either knee during the previous 6 months.
Previous knee surgery.
Rupture of any cruciate or collateral ligament.
Major knee or periarticular trauma.
Rheumatic or autoimmune disease.
National Taiwan University Hospital
Lead sponsor
National Taiwan University Hospital Beihu Branch
Collaborator